Have Nothing to Do With That Righteous Man

Decisions, decisions! Sometimes we have the most troubling decision to make. It has to be made. What shall we choose? Which way should we go? What will happen IF…….? But, on the other hand, what will happen IF…….?

This advisor says this. That advisor says that. My personal sense of the whole situation says……. But, there are so many others loudly demanding things be done their way! And yet……. Auugh! Get me out of this mess!

Such was Pilate’s predicament when the Jews brought Jesus to him to be tried. Throughout the mock trial with all sorts of false witnesses making downright silly accusations, it was obvious to the governor, Pilate, that Jesus had done nothing wrong. To all the accusations Jesus made no reply because they were so obviously contrived and of no worth or meaning.

When Pilate questioned Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus simply answered, “It is as you say.” It was an amazing answer showing certainty and authority. Then Pilate came up with a plan that might protect Jesus. It was the Roman custom to free one prisoner during the Passover, so Pilate proposed to the mob that they could choose whether he should release Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist, who had committed murder — or Jesus, who claimed to be King of the Jews.

The choice should have been obvious. But, jealousy does not help one to be wise or ashamed of their sin.

In the mean time, Pilate’s wife sent him an urgent message recorded in Matthew 27:19,

Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.

His wife’s plea certainly was convincing — or should have been — but, the mob was calling out that Barabbas should be released for them. And Jesus? They could only loudly and repeatedly scream, “Let Him be crucified!”

What would you have done?

It was a choice between an obvious right and an obvious wrong — but, people were screaming and getting more belligerent by the moment.

Pilate washed his hands in front of everyone to show his cowardly way out. He wanted no blame for such an evil act. He had the authority of the Roman government to put down the angry crowd. But, in his cowardly fashion he chose to do evil — so that he could be “popular” with the people.

Is that what we choose? Popularity over decency and rightness?

Decisions, decisions! We all have to make them. Just what should we do with this Jesus who is called the Christ?

In all our decision making, we should consider Romans 2:16, “God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”

We might think we have “power” to decide against Jesus today, but come Judgment Day, we will be judged through Him. How ironic.

It’s especially ironic in view of the fact that Jesus’ whole life as our Redeemer has been prophesied since the Garden of Eden. And yet, people refuse to look at the evidence — or all the love that went into keeping those prophesies — or even the promises of eternal life for all those who put their faith in Jesus.

Looking to Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer, King, and LORD, we say, “Hallelujah! LORD, thank You ever so much for showing Your truths to us and loving us so much that You willingly suffered for our sins. Blessed be Your name forever, our King!”